Study abroad for free – How to get a tuition-free education in Europe

Overseas education is no less than a dream for most students in India. But a great number of students do not even consider studying abroad because of the expenditure involved. Flying abroad for higher studies may not be particularly light on your wallet, but there are ways to accomplish it at considerably lower expenses.

Basics of a Tuition Free Education

A tuition free education, as the name makes it clear, is education in exchange of zero fee charges. However, it does not have to be confused with free education since there are other costs involved, such as administrative fees, the cost of living and study materials. There are several European countries that offer higher education facility to international students free of tuition fees. Plenty of opportunities to study abroad at nominal expenditure await you.

Here is a list of countries that you can consider to get a tuition free education.

Germany

With more than 300 universities offering tuition free education, Germany is amongst the top destinations for low cost studies abroad. The country promotes free education for public good the with its secondary focus on the socio-economic benefits of immigration that are concomitant with free education. For Indian students at all levels of education, there is a permit to work either 120 full days or 240 half days in a year. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) provides numerous scholarship opportunities for students to cover their expenses.

After finishing their undergraduate or postgraduate or doctoral programme, students can apply for an 18-month residence permit and choose to stay in the country for work.

Netherlands

Well known for its international approach to education, Netherlands is ranked number 9 as per the Programme for International Student Assessment. There is a provision for tuition fee exemption for international students participating in exchange programmes. Moreover, there are many study and research scholarships for all levels that can furnish your study costs. Programmes like Amsterdam Merit Scholarship, The Holland Scholarship, Excellence Scholarship, and more are available in a number of fields for all international students.

Since transportation is not a problem here, you can get a bicycle and afford an economical lifestyle with your ISIC card.

Norway

Norway’s education system encourages internationalism and, therefore, provides quality education free of tuition costs, making it one of the most popular study abroad destinations in Europe. Tuition free education is available at all levels, from undergraduate to doctorate. Students have to pay the semester fee to obtain a student card and get access to the student association. It gives them access to quite a few on-campus benefits such as health services, reduced public transport fare, and more such benefits.

Students need to get a Student Residence Permit to stay in the country for more than 3 months. This permit grants you a work sanction of 20 hours per week. The submission dates for this application are from December 1 to March 15.

France

A home to some of the top ranked universities in the world, France is one of the most reputed countries to offer world-class education without tuition fees in its public universities. An influx of more than 300,000 international students to the country bears testimony to the quality education it offers. To make things easier for international students, you can apply to 20 universities with one single online application at Campus France’s “Studying in France” procedure. French universities give you the option to schedule part-time, full-time, or even online classes. You can also apply for part-time work at the university, such as research assistantship open for postgraduate students.

The average cost of living in the country is manageable with a vehicle and proper budgeting. Additionally, various university and government sponsored scholarships for international students, like Eiffel Excellence Scholarships, Emile Boutmy Scholarship, and more, can help you cover living expenses. You are allowed to work up to 20 hours weekly.

Denmark

Education, in Denmark, is not only a means of boosting public welfare but also a channel for creating a globally cultured society. The country has bilateral agreements with higher education institutions across the globe that offer mutual exchange programmes for students. There are no tuition charges for these exchange students. International students enrolled in undergraduate or postgraduate studies have the option to work 15 hours per week and full-time work in the summer vacations.

There are scholarships for postgraduate students above 25 years of age – the Danish Government Scholarships under the Cultural Agreements, Denmark SDU Talent Master Fellowship, to name a few. With a great standard of living, the country tops the charts for quality education.

Finland

Ranked as the most literate nation in the world with a 100% literacy rate, Finland boasts itself of a top-tier education system. It endorses equal educational opportunities for all. Tuition fee exemption is offered to doctorate level students and all non-EU students (except those pursuing a degree in English). Along with its high standard of educational services, there is a heavy emphasis on the affordability of these services. You can apply to undergraduate programs at the Finnish polytechnics’ online portal. Applications for postgraduate programmes need to be sent to the concerned university.

The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Programmes and the Finnish Government Scholarship Pool provide scholarships and monthly allowances to international students for monetary assistance.

Slovenia

Slovenia is one of the less explored places for overseas education and yet stands at number 4 among the best education systems in the EU. The country extends its high quality educational facilities to international students with tuition fee exemption in public universities. This exemption is, however, offered through certain eligibility criteria which vary according to the field of study.

Living expenses and other costs can be covered through scholarships offered Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sport, Slovenian Science Foundation, and Slovenian Human Resource Development and Scholarship Fund.

Apart from the places listed above, there are several countries such as Austria, Sweden, Lithuania, Czech Republic that offer internationally acclaimed higher education services at minimal fees. Sweden is known for its high investment in research and promotes creative research opportunities. Austrian public universities, such as the University of Vienna, posit themselves among world’s top-ranked institutions and offer higher education at low costs. On the whole, European countries provide tuition free education in order to promote social well-being.

Would you like to know more about how tuition-free education could work for you? Reach out to BridgEd for guidance and support!